Senator Loffreda: Thank you for the answer. I’m encouraged to hear that departments are actively working together to address these fraudulent activities related to the pandemic. I do agree, and I’ve said before and have always said, that the government was quick, agile and focused when it delivered its various emergency support programs. However, we all know that there were fraudulent activities, some of which could possibly have been prevented.

I appreciate that you will seek answers to my remaining questions and that it’s an ongoing exercise.

Can you provide us with a written update with the number of cases detected and the breakdown between fraudulent individual claims and business claims? To your knowledge, how much money was wrongfully disbursed and how much has been recouped since? I would appreciate if you could elaborate on that now.

Hon. Tony Loffreda: Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Gold, I would like to ask you a question about COVID-related fraud prevention measures taken by the Canada Revenue Agency and Employment and Social Development Canada and on the implementation of its four-year operational plan for post-payment integrity activities. The Fall Economic Statement 2020 allocated additional funding to increase their capacity to detect, investigate and address cases of fraud and misrepresentation.

In remarks delivered last month, Sarah Paquet, Director and CEO of FINTRAC addressed the issue of suspicious or false applications for COVID programs. Thankfully, Ms. Paquet said that:

Fraud-related activity targeting the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and the Canada Emergency Business Account has been low when compared to the many millions of Canadians who received much-needed support through these programs.

That is certainly reassuring.

Can you provide us with an update on the CRA and the ESDC’s post-payment verification work? I understand ESDC’s plan is supposed to be refined on a regular basis as the department gains experience and knowledge from its investigations.

I also note that the CRA said three months ago that it would commence post-compliance work. Has this work started? Are departments streamlining their efforts to get more bang for their buck? Are there any early lessons or findings that can help the departments better distribute future emergency aid?

Hon. Tony Loffreda: Honourable senators, I would like to tell you about Louise, a Quebec entrepreneur who owns a business in downtown Montreal. She employs about 30 people. Thanks to her entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and creative vision, her company has doubled its sales over the past few years.

There are stories like Louise’s across Quebec and Canada. Not only is Louise helping to keep our economy moving, but she is also meeting the needs of her family and contributing to the financial well-being of her employees.

It is important that we recognize and celebrate Louise’s contributions, particularly in the current context of the pandemic. It is for Louise and all of the other entrepreneurs across the country that the Business Development Bank of Canada has been celebrating BDC Small Business Week for over 40 years.

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The BDC has already held its annual Small Business Week. It is always important to acknowledge and celebrate the people who build businesses, employ millions of Canadians and ensure that the heartbeat of our economy is steady and strong. I have always believed that small businesses are the heart and soul of any economy, and they are pillars in our communities.

According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s most recent Key Small Business Statistics report from 2020, the Canadian economy totalled 1.23 million employer businesses, and 97.9% of these are small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. The numbers have certainly fluctuated over the last 18 months because of the pandemic; however, as of 2019, small businesses employed 8.4 million Canadians, or 68.8% of the total private labour force.

The ongoing pandemic, with its lockdowns and health restrictions, has put our small businesses through tough times. Case in point: As of November 4, approximately 900,000 businesses were approved for Canada Emergency Business Account loans, and nearly $50 billion in funds were approved by the government as an emergency lifeline to our struggling businesses.

Governments have put in place several programs to help businesses during the pandemic. It is now key to start shifting investments from business survival to business recovery and growth. The pandemic has accelerated the need for small businesses to further embrace technology. Governments should provide additional help in this area, which has the potential to help businesses reach new markets, increase revenues and improve overall competitiveness.

We should all continue supporting our entrepreneurs next door and our local shops. I know they are depending on us all to help them recover and emerge from the crisis more resilient than ever.

Thank you.